Newbie

[PinkADHDer]

Hello Everyone. I was diagnosed with ADHD three weeks ago at the age of 64. I have been feeling very overwhelmed and grieving. At the same time there is some relief because I now understand it's not me it's my neurology.

[STEM_Dad]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

The community is very supportive and accepting here, and I hope that you will find it a comfortable atmosphere.

It can be very overwhelming to be newly diagnosed with ADHD, and most of us go through a grieving process over what is, what was, or what might have been. But I can tell you from my experience that it can be very validating, and finding greater acceptance of yourself can be very freeing.

Expected to take some time and a lot of getting used to.

Feel free to ask whatever questions you have, and we will do our best to help answer them, or to help you to find the answers.

[PinkADHDer in reply to STEM_Dad]

Thank you! That's very comforting!

[GosportNancy29]

Hey There

I'm 63 and have just been referred for an ADHD assessment. I was assessed back in the late 90s but because I paid for a private assessment, the report didn't help with any support from government departments. The assessment I am going for now is through the NHS in another county so I'm hoping to find some clarity along the way.

I am needing support in retirement housing and without some kind of medical need waiting lists are 20+years long. I'm feelinhg very hopeful that something will change for the better with an NHS diagnosis.

I muddle on with boring day to day stuff, like finances and various paperwork, but the rest of the time I am getting on with writing my memoirs and doing pretty well. being known as the local excentric

[PinkADHDer in reply to GosportNancy29]

I hope you get the support and help you need.

[Salah_09]

Welcome to the forum.

This initial shock is a phase and will definitely pass.

It's been like 4 months since my initial diagnosis and I'm at the stage where I accept that I have ADHD. I have gotten the necessary treatment and always am on the lookout of improving or managing my ADHD. Medications, the right supplements, healthy diet, exercise etc. all are part of my daily routine.

At times I forget that I have ADHD especially when I am managing it very well. But other times I do remember, but am always grateful for everything. We cannot change our past but can move forward in a positive and empowering way. I have learnt to not blame myself for my ADHD and this has been awesome for my self-esteem.

Trust me, you will move past this stage and with the right mindset, approach and treatment, you will enjoy life even more. Plus remember that people with ADHD do have a lot of hidden talents that we can tap into.

[PinkADHDer in reply to Salah_09]

Thanks for your support ❤️

[GracePV]

Welcome to the club. I too had a dual reaction to my ADHD diagnosis, relief and mortified, and mourning my so called "failures" in life. What made me absolutely wildly positive about having ADHD is a convention of ADHD people with all kinds of workshops over a weekend, (this was back in 1992) and I realised how much I liked them all.. in fact, I had never been in any kind of a group that I liked as much as ADD'ers. They were highly intelligent, funny, could laugh at themselves, not egomaniacs (like so many normies) caring, open and expressive. I went from feeling ADHD was a "deficit" to feeling it is the best way to be! It's great you finally got diagnosed and hopefully it will be the start of a whole new and better life for you.

[Mamamichl in reply to GracePV]

Were you able to find in person adult groups? Any idea how? I love this forum and it’s been tremendously helpful, but in person ones work better for me.

[GracePV in reply to Mamamichl]

I ended up many years later being a part of an ADD support group that was organized by my medical doctor. It was very helpful. Also having other friends who have ADD and sharing about what it is like can help.

[PinkPanda23]

Welcome to a safe, informative and friendly space! I was 54 when I was diagnosed, (67 now), and I was initially delighted and relieved to have a neurological explanation for my life up to that point! The grief took a little longer to arrive, but it settled in for a while and still occasionally pops up. It's natural to look back and wonder what might have been different and better if only we had known.For me, not feeling so alone is a huge part of participating in this community. I also learn a lot. Several posters, especially STEM_Dad, give freely of their research and own experiences to learn and share.

Come often, and ask questions. There's always someone here with an idea that's helpful. 🙂

[Hominid711 in reply to PinkPanda23]

Like turning back to your infant neurobiological life or that of those generous ones that handed it down to me. I'm on the way to becoming that playful little warrior again that many love and some hate.

[Attentiondefdiff]

Hello! I was 59 when I got my DX. I was like you relieved and mournful. It’s great to know the why. What could have been if I had known earlier is haunting. I’m 63 now and the grief is going away as I am growing and learning how to manage my ADHD. I think one of my greatest joys of knowing it’s been the ADHD brain that made all the roller coasters and merry go rounds in my past life and not a character deficit. That’s something I can’t go explaining to the people past and present yet I hold it my heart and mind to help me through. Good luck finding your way through this enlightenment.

[Lizbetsweet]

I hope you find support and friendship here. I just joined a month ago. I am hoping to meet others going through neurodivergency.